The final day had arrived and the whole team were excited about the day and all that it held in store for Andy and the rest of us.

We couldn’t have wished for better support from Capt Justin March and the team from 2 Signal Regt, nor indeed the help, assistance and organisation of the WO1 (GSM) Brian Kiernan.

We are extremely grateful to them for the entire organisation and indeed to Brigadier Greville Bibby CBE for his support.

The day started well and the weather looked to be holding out for a splendid climax to Challenge66. We believed everything was in place and at last the media had got involved in a big way.

Nikki was running all over the place directing press and trying to get interviews done. We started with a live broadcast with Sky News in the morning and finished with BFBS in the afternoon.

The Lord mayor Councillor Susan Galloway and the Sherriff Richard Watson were in attendance for the start and the Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity had also come up from London to attend.

We were also delighted to see Hugh Bayley MP in attendance even though the later start had meant he was unable to don his running shoes.

Prior to the start Brigadier Greville Bibby, Commander 15 (North East) Brigade presented Andy a special Birthday Cake to acknowledge that this day not only signified the final run of the Challenge but was also Andy’s 50th Birthday.

Andy addressed the runners and advised them of the significance of the Baton that he was carrying and that he hoped all runners would get a chance to carry it throughout the run.

There was an excellent turnout of runners including the members of 2 Signal Regt who joined Andy as part of their morning Physical Training. Fortunately they got the best of the weather as later in the day the heavens opened, but it didn’t dampen the spirits.

The final part of the run saw Andy break off from the main runners and complete the last 300 metres on the actual racecourse crossing the finishing line in 6:15:12 to be greeted by his wife Caz with a pint of lager shandy.

Not only is that probably the longest race (in time and distance) at York racecourse, but also the first time the winner has been given a lager shandy.

There are so many memories from 66 days on the road and not least from the 66th to record that a simple Blog does not do it justice. Suffice it to say we all had a great day and although tainted with a bit of sadness that this epic trip had come to a close, we were extremely proud of what Andy had achieved and proud of the small part we, and many of you have played in making sure he got there. Thank You.

The penultimate Ultra Marathon Run and what excitement there was as we approached Ripon knowing that there was only one more move after this one.

We were well received by 21 Regt Royal Engineers and within minutes of arrival had received a full brief on the format for the next day and the route of the run.

Accommodation sorted we sat down to the last of Ray’s meals and he again did us proud with an excellent lamb stew. He has indeed been the domestic God on this trip and the delights he can produce from minimal ingredients and limited space are amazing. He also does a very mean breakfast porridge.

Andy did not have a good night’s sleep, which was nothing to do with the accommodation which was fine, just a few nerves and adrenalin made him restless. However, as ever he arrived at the RV with a big smile on his face looking forward to the challenge ahead.

A number of friends and colleagues turned up to run with Andy as did a number of 21 Engr Regt RE who had relays to keep him company. He was also joined today by Sophie Vowden and Jim Duffy, both of whom had set themselves the target of running a marathon.

The start was amazing as we had both the Mayor of Ripon and the Mayor of Harrogate in attendance – please don’t ask me why – but they were both welcome.

The Mayor of Ripon Cllr Mick Stanley started the run with a starting pistol and Andy and the runners ran out of the camp along roads lined with the members of the Regiment cheering them on their way.

It was an excellent way to start the penultimate run and even more appealing was that they were there on his return at the end of the run, as were the kids from the St James’ Church Primary School from Bradford, who managed to get an interview with Andy at the end.

Andy had a good run and enjoyed the company of all those that took the trouble and travelled long distances to be with him. His time of 6:31:41 was very respectable as was Sophie’s and Jim’s successful completion of their marathon.

Our sincere thanks to Major Pat Scullion and his team at 5RRF in Durham for all the help they provided to us prior to and during our stay at the TA Centre in Durham.

The route that they choose was excellent and took in a lot of the features of Durham outside of the city centre with a long run along the river.

Time could be spent watching crews practicing their rowing skills, – some better than others.

Durham was another first for us in that we had two different Mayors attend the start and finish. It was Mayoral handover day so in the morning we had Mayor Mamie Simmons and her Consort start the run and then later in the day we had Mayor Les Thomas welcome Andy at the finish. It was ones last engagement and the others first, quite a coup for Challenge66. Thanks to Eric Ingram for arranging it.

We were also delighted to have the pipers from 102 Battalion REME to once again send Andy and the other runners on their way. Andy was joined by John Hutchinson, Nigel McKaine and Ian Graham all of whom planned to do the whole distance with him. Ian Legg also came to support Andy as did Phil Robinson.

Andy had a good run and finished in a good time that nearly caught everyone out. The new Mayor just arrived on time. A good visit to Durham and it is a lovely City worth a look around.

Time 6:18:23. Pack up and move to Ripon for the penultimate run.

After some slight rearrangement of the accommodation for the evening we managed to get everyone sorted and had the RV parked at the Silksworth Sports Complex.

Thankfully we are near the end but the lesson learnt is not to be to believe hotel staff when they say they have large car parks.
The run was around a measured route within the sports Complex area, and we are very grateful to Andy Abbott and the team from Sunderland Harriers & Athletic Club for all the work they did in measuring and mapping the course.

Andy was joined by a number of runners during the day from the Harriers but two did the whole course George Taylor and Steven Duffy, our congratulations to them both.

The run was started by the Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Thomas Martin and again we had the Pipers from 102 Bn REME to play Andy and the runners on their way. The weather remained reasonable throughout the day with only minor rain showers which was more disruptive to Sophie’s washing than to the runners. One of the features of the park was the wildlife and Andy even had the opportunity to stop and photograph the swans and their cygnets.

Another good run and timed in at 6:37:53, unfortunately it was not a case of pack up and move as the car park we were in was full with spectators at the local schools athletics day. We had to wait until they moved. But after that it was pack up and move to Durham – again an easy short drive – that went without incident.

After another very relaxing night in Jury’s Inn it was an early start for Ray, Barry and Nikki to get the RV from the UOTC Barracks to the Park. We left Andy and Sophie capitalising on their much needed sleep.

The start was not in Exhibition Park, where the vast majority of the run would take place but from outside St James Park home of Newcastle United. The reason for this was to meet up with the 3 cyclist who were attempting to cycle to all Premiership Clubs in 7 days, also raising money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

The Lord Mayor Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh very kindly came along to start both events off. Andy was very well supported by the Cadets from Newcastle University UOTC and apart from where he has started with Park Runs it was the largest number of people to start with Andy. Wetherby Runners were once again represented by Chris Plews. It is amazing the support they have all given Andy throughout the Challenge.

The run in Exhibition Park was reasonably flat although there were at times very strong headwinds. Andy was ably supported throughout the run by the Cadets many of whom completed the whole distance with him an admirable achievement. We were also delighted to see Mike Shakesheff from Casper Shipping whose company have been so supportive.

A solid run and a good time of 6:36:48. Many thanks to Eric Ingram and the team for all the arrangements they made and for planning and measuring the route.

Pack up and move to Sunderland – only a short drive today.

The day could not have got off to a better start than the breakfast provided to us by Liz Mackie at her B&B at Ferrycraigs House in North Queensferry. liz@ferrycraigs.co.uk. We are extremely grateful to her for her hospitality and generosity and highly recommend her hostelry for anyone visiting Edinburgh or the surrounding area. The breakfast is amazing.

The venue for today was Holyrood Park and we were delighted that local MP Mike Crockart came out to run with Andy. After the obligatory PR shots we managed to get the race underway just after 9 o’clock on a damp misty day.

For those unaware the route around Holyrood has a fairly steep climb whichever direction you go around it but the views are fantastic and it runs below Arthur’s Seat a famous landmark in Edinburgh.

Andy was accompanied by several runners at the start and others joined him throughout the day, many of them from a local running club. Included amongst the runners was Dr Andrew Murray who himself has run from John O’Groats to the Sahara and Mark Cooper who ran from Amsterdam to Barcelona.

We were also very fortunate to have Andy’s Mum come and visit him and deliver his washing that he had dropped off the previous night. Even though he is nearly 50 he still takes his washing home to his Mum. We were all very pleased that she agreed to start the race which was only fitting for the Edinburgh leg.

Although the route was reasonably tough Andy enjoyed it and put in a good time for the course of 6:58:14. No injuries no pain he just looks amazing for someone who has now run 61 Ultr-Marathons.

Pack up and move back to England. We can all say that the Scotland legs have been fantastic and we have really appreciated the hospitality that we have all received.

The Dundee run was a straight 50km run starting in Camperdown Park Wildlife Centre and ending in the City Centre outside the Council offices.

As ever these events do not just happen and we are incredibly grateful to the staff of 225 Med Regt who ran with Andy and kept him company throughout the run.

We were privileged to have the Lord Provost of Dundee with us to start the run. He has been in office for 11 years which is an incredible feat in its own right. He was kind enough to say a few words regarding the event and Andy’s achievement to date and wished him all the best for his visit to Dundee.

Andy started with Al and Kev who were due to run separate legs with Andy but ended up doing the whole event.

Once Andy had started we moved the RV to the City Centre and set up there for the rest of the day. The local ACF were out in force and fully supported the Charity with taking collection tins around the city. They also had their climbing wall which was a great attraction.

One slight hiccup to the day was a flat tyre on the RV which necessitated Ray calling out the Recovery firm to change it. It was definitely not a job that we could have done without their specialist equipment. There was also another distraction as there was a Championship Cat Show on at the Council buildings but fortunately Andy’s run was a greater attraction.

As Andy approached the end a number of ACF Cadets joined him and others lined the route whilst their Pipes and Drums played for him as he came up the High Street. The team from the Council must be congratulated for all the work they did in preparing the event and on the day in getting the finishing gantry up.

Our sincere thanks to them for the generous welcome to the City of Dundee and to the presentation they made to Andy on the completion of his run. I am sure that even if the Whisky does not last long the glasses will be a constant reminder of the warm welcome he received when he visited Dundee.

A good and enjoyable run for Andy and finished in a time of 6:27:49.

After overnighting the RV on the esplanade where Andy would be running we had a very short distance to move it the next day.

Even though there was a strong breeze blowing the sky was blue and the sun out taking the chill off the wind.

The view across the North Sea was stunning. In addition we occasionally got a sight of a pod of dolphins skipping across the sea.

The press seem to have started to take notice and we started the day with both local BBC and ITV in attendance as well as a couple of newspaper photographers.
So much press that we had to delay the start by about 10 minutes. However it was well worth it as the coverage later in the day was excellent.

Andy was fortunate to have the Lord Provost Peter Stephen in attendance to start the run and we are grateful for his patience whilst we dealt with the press. We also wish to thank Bill Farquhar for all his help and assistance in organising the event.

Once started Andy ran up and down the Esplande a total distance from one end to the other of 2.4 miles. He was joined for a couple of laps by members of Aberdeen University UOTC . We are extremely grateful to the UOTC and their CO Lt Col Mathew Warner for their very generous donation. Towards the end of the run Sophie went out to keep him company until the end. Their sprint finish was reminiscent of an Olympic 400 metre final.
Andy finished in 6:31:31

Inverness means ‘mouth of the River Ness’ and is a city in northern Scotland and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland. It is at the north-eastern extremity of the Great Glen where the River Ness enters the Inverness/Moray Firth, and is the most northerly city on Challenge66. But true to Scottish hospitality a warm welcome awaited us.

We arrived after the long drive from Stirling at Cameron Barracks where we stayed for the night prior to moving to Bught Park.

I must take the opportunity to thank Maj John Stevenson and his staff for arranging the accommodation in the Barracks at such short notice. It was greatly appreciated. Also thanks to Iain Cassidy who was our link in Inverness who came out the evening before to show us the route to the Park. A big thank you also goes to Gerry Reynolds Events and Promotions Officer of The Highland Council who coordinated everything for us with the City.

The run was started by the Provost of Inverness Councillor Jimmy Gray and a number of the local Newspapers and Radio were in attendance. Included in these was the photographer from the Sunday Mirror who will be running an article on Challenge66 this Sunday.

Andy was joined on his run at the start by Iain Cassidy (who had set out and measured the course for us) and throughout the day individuals dropped in to run with him including Inverness Caledonian Thistle Captain Richie Foran and his team mate Graeme Shinnie.

Congratulations also go to our own Jim Duffy who completed a half marathon with Andy.

A good run and a commendable time of 6:36:30.
Pack Up and move to Aberdeen.

Yet another week down and it’s been another great week.

Day 50 saw us in Carlisle and the last day in England before heading over the water to Northern Ireland.  Andy, Sophie, Ray and I had been in a hotel over night so Ray and I left early to move the bus into position, only to find that Barry had already moved it!!  He told us once we arrived that it would be the first and last time he was driving the RV and certainly doesn’t envy Ray having to drive it everyday.  The Mayor of Carlisle Cllr Mary Styth came down to set Andy off and Andy was joined by fellow Wetherby runner Richard Bewell.  So all photoshoots were out of the way and 9am came, Andy and Richard set off and they were going very quickly indeed.  I think Andy always had in the back of his mind that once he finished it was a 2 hour drive up to Glasgow to drop the cars off and then Sophie, Barry and Andy had to get to the airport to catch their flight to Belfast.  Whilst Andy was running the rest of us were packing ready to get off as soon as possible.  We had a couple of visitors who came into the RV for a chat and a cup of coffee, Mary and Betty who were on their weekly walk stopped by, they were lovely ladies and we all thoroughly enjoyed their company.  Andy and Richard were keeping up the quick pace and had a few other people join them for part of the run.  So as 2.21pm came Andy and Richard came past the RV for the final lap, and Andy had said that he wanted to finish in less than 5hrs 30 mins so I shouted out saying that he only had 9 minutes to go, they sprinted past me and did the last mile in 7 minutes!!  They crossed the line in 5 hours 28 minutes, his fastest time yet.  All the cars got packed up, Barry, Sophie and Andy rushed off to get to Glasgow in time for their flight and Ray and I were in no rush to get there because we were heading home an didn’t have to catch the flight.  I was a nice, smooth drive until we hit Glasgow.  The traffic was horrendous, I think it took us about 1 hour to drive 4 miles!!  Well we got to the barracks and the others were still outside waiting for their taxi, the taxi came just as we pulled in.  So the 3 of them got off to the airport, Ray and I packed Betty and hit the road for our 4.5 hours journey back home.  I finally got home at 22.30 and got straight into bed, it was so good to be back in my own bed!!

So the next 5 days were spent at home, catching up with friends and family and getting things sorted for the Gala Dinner.  The non-drinking went out the window and I’m sure I had my 55 days worth over the weekend!!

Monday morning came quickly and Ray pulled up into the drive at 10.30 to start our journey back up to Glasgow.  We shared the driving and arrived back at the barracks at about 14.30, we filled and emptied the RV, did a recce of Pollok park and then headed off to our hotels.  Ray was staying in a different hotel to the rest of us because Ellie was coming up.  So I dropped Ray off around the corner from his hotel (which I then found out the next day that he was walking around for 30 minutes trying to find it) and I went to Jury’s Inn.  I then sat in my room wondering what to do for 5 hours until I picked the others up from the airport.  So I decided to go for a wander around town, it was too late to do any shopping (probably a good thing) so instead I went to Yo Sushi for dinner, by myself!! I felt and must have looked like a bit of a loner, as I was walking back to the hotel I found Jim coming out of the car park so ended up going back out with him so he could get something to eat (just to clarify I didn’t have a second dinner).  As I was about to leave the hotel to pick them up from the airport I got a call from Barry saying they were just picking their bags up.  They ended up getting at taxi back to the airport so I met them downstairs to give them their keys.

Breakfast in Jury’s in was a nightmare!  I’ve never seen so many people queuing for breakfast.  After waiting about 10 minutes we finally managed to get some food but unfortunately there wasn’t any cutlery to eat it with!!  We all managed in the end packed up the cars and headed off to the park.  Ellie had the honour of setting Andy off on ultra marathon number 56.  The route was a 2 mile loop of the park so it was quite a few laps of the park to clock up the 31.07 miles.  Barry and I went back to the barracks to pick up his car and did the daily food shop!   It was quite a quiet day, it rained off and on and everyone spent the day unpacking from Northern Ireland or being at home.   Sophie was extremely happy to be back on the RV and not sitting in a car all day.  Andy finished in 7hrs 1 minute, so as usual like a slick operation we packed up and headed off to Stirling.  Once we had got off the motorway Ray managed to get the RV up the steep and windy hill up to the castle and we parked up in the car park for the night.

So there we go another week down and I thoroughly enjoyed my few days back home but it is good to be back with the rest of the team and I can’t believe there are only 10 days to go.

I hope a lot of you are able to make it to York next Friday for the big finale.  We’re all looking forward to seeing lots of people there and beware that I will accost you all to buy tickets for our Gala Dinner!!!